Town switch a "no brainer" says Jones

Powerful central defender Darren Jones insists it was a "no brainer" to accept the chance to link up with Graham Turner for a second time as he looks forward to his first crack at League One football.

Newport-born Jones has fond memories of playing under Graham Turner and John Trewick at Hereford before two successful seasons at Aldershot where he swept the board in the player of the year stakes last season.

Jones said he sounded out both Ben Herd and Marvin Morgan, two other men to have played for both Aldershot and Shrewsbury, before making up his mind to head north, but stressed it was a straight forward decision.

"I'm excited to be here," said Jones. "It's nice to see all the new faces and it's a new challenge.

"It was a no brainer really coming here with League One football and playing under Graham and John. I was glad to get the opportunity.

"I really enjoyed it at Hereford so when they came in for me I took it with both hands really."

Jones is aware that Ian Sharps and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff enjoyed a strong central defensive partnership for Shrewsbury last season, but tthe Welshman is confident be can do just as well.

"They did well last season," he confirmed. "But I'm sure I can do just as good as them if not better."

Jones, 28, is now looking forward to working hard in pre-season ahead of an exciting start to the competitive season with trips to Leeds United in the Capital One Cup and Sheffield United in League One.

He said: "Those clubs are massive, ex-Premier League, and I can't wait to play against them. It will be a really good challenge for myself."